Monthly grocery bill up by £25

Average monthly grocery shopping bill has risen by £25, claimed recent reports as the prices of thousands of everyday items continues to rise since last year, adding to concerns about the rising cost of living.

A recent survey shows that shoppers should expect to pay more for butter, milk, cereal and biscuits while doing their weekly shopping. With a basket of common items costing on average 6 per cent more than last year, someone who spends £430 a month on groceries – the UK average – will end up paying at least £25-a-month more.

As per retail analyst Assosia, a few of the biggest increase is coming from daily household products like blended butter, baked beans, digestive biscuits, eggs and wholemeal bread.

A can of Heinz baked beans has increased by 18 per cent to £1 on average according to the analyst, Mail reported, adding that Lurpak lighter blended butter and rapeseed now costs £3.66 on average, a 22 per cent increase. Price of Stork’s baking spread increased the most of all the products surveyed, up by 32 per cent to £1.50.

“We have seen a huge rise in price increases in the last week to ten days,” Assosia director Kay Staniland said

“Consumers are more used to shopping around for deals, but with the reality of higher transport, commodity and fuel costs impacting the food supply chain and grocery sector it is inevitable that costs will start to rise more rapidly,” she said.

“Staff shortages are also impacting the grocery sector, so maintaining a good supply chain is also critical during this period. It’s a little hard to see any winners in the current climate.”

The findings comes a week after British Retail Consortium (BRC) found in its survey that the cost of fresh food has risen by 3 per cent compared to last year, the highest rate in nine years.

Inflation has soared 5.1 per cent – the highest rate in a decade – while annual salaries are not rising at a similar rate.

Speaking to reporters on Monday (10), prime minister Boris Johnson acknowledged that there are many financial pressures facing households.

“There’s a general inflationary pressure caused by the world economy coming back from Covid, and in the US, I think, inflation is likely to be the highest it’s been since the early 80s. The eurozone is experiencing exactly the same thing,” he said.